ALEX FERGUSON has warned the Premier League: We will be even better
next season. The Manchester United chiefs chilling warning comes
as the fixtures for the next campaign are revealed today.
Every manager outside Old Trafford will have a bead of sweat when
they see their names etched next to Uniteds. Last season, Fergies
men blew away all before them and he came desperately close to
another Treble.
Right now, the Scot is shuffling his pack to produce another season
flushed with success. And he has the confidence in his United aces
to know they will come up trumps once more.
Ferguson said: This United team is growing together. It is young
enough to improve.
There is a great appetite and enthusiasm among this group of
players.
They are growing together, they trust each other and I trust in
what they can do.
I trust them, especially when they have had a setback. They have
the character to pick themselves up and deliver the right
response.
Ferguson was full of praise for Alan Smith last season. But in an
interview in yesterdays SunSport, it was clear Smith was growing
impatient over what the future holds for him. The United striker
snapped after being told he will not be getting a new four-year
contract. Smith, who has two years left on his current deal, said:
If they are going to sell me, Id like to know.
Ferguson got 23 goals each out of Wayne Rooney and Cristiano
Ronaldo last season. But he is still looking for a new out-and-out
striker as Smith does not appear to be that man.
He is more likely to be used as a bargaining tool as Fergie bids to
get the men he really wants.
United are eyeing Tottenhams Dimitar Berbatov and are also
considering Inter Milans Swedish striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic.
That desire to land a new top- quality striker is by no means
bordering on panic.
Particularly as Ferguson heard good news yesterday about hitman
Louis Sahas condition.
The Frenchman has been plagued by injuries and another knee problem
looked like ruling him out of the start of next season.
But his representatives, The Stellar Group, last night assured
United fans he was well on the mend.
A statement read: Louis had an exploratory operation and that went
very well.
It wasnt surgery as such and they didnt go into the knee fully.
It was more than successful.
He has been in rehab in the South of France for two weeks now and
has been having treatment every day.
Louis is getting his head down and working to be fit for the start
of the season.
In his mind, he is looking to be starting like everyone else for
the opening to the new term.
He expects to be ready when Uniteds campaign begins.
A fit and firing Saha can only add to the armoury already at
Fergusons disposal.
Ferguson again has the perfect blend of youth, experience and
seasoned professionals.
United have added to that mixture with a £50million outlay this
summer.
The youth has come in the form of Brazilian midfielder Anderson,
19, from Porto and Portuguese winger Nani, 20, from Sporting
Lisbon.
Ferguson said: I think with young players looking to achieve
something, youve got an energy and desire.
There will certainly be no lack of desire in his other summer
signing.
Holding midfielder Owen Hargreaves finally arrived from German
giants Bayern Munich for £17m.
And he brings plenty of know-how after winning a Champions League
medal and his international experience with England.
But, despite welcoming in the new, Fergie is not about to cast out
the old.
Indeed, he sees his two 34-year-old multi-medalled campaigners as
the key to knitting everything together again at Old
Trafford.
Winger Ryan Giggs and midfielder Paul Scholes enjoyed a red-hot
Indian summer last season.
And Ferguson believes there is plenty of football left in the old
dogs yet to help in the transition of this scorching side.
Ferguson said: The experience of Paul Scholes and Ryan Giggs will
be vital over the next two seasons.
Comparisons will be made again next season as to how this latest
group will rank in the pantheon of Fergie footballing armies. The
United manager reckons comparison should not be made due to the
cosmopolitan nature of the current side.
He said: I dont think this set of players is like the previous
two teams at all.
Its different altogether. There are a lot of foreign players in
the side now and, in that sense, the make-up is so different. It is
a real mix of nationalities.
Football has changed in that way and the Premiership has gone down
that route.
So, when building a new team, youve got more work to do in terms
of getting the side to gel, getting that understanding and spirit
of Manchester United.
I think once the foreign players get inside the club and they
understand the history, it seeps through to them and they become
Manchester United players.
The make-up of the side makes this one different to the previous
two but all three had that same desire and winning
mentality.
That winning mentality is set to be in evidence again next
season.
The Manchester United date is one all fans look forward to.
But for the other Premiership managers, it is a different matter
altogether.
Long live SAF, born a legend always a
legend!
